MEGADETH drummer Shawn Drover has posted the following message in teh "forums" section of the band's official web site:

"So now you know...

"So now it is official, we have signed with Roadrunner Records, which for me personally is something that I am very happy about!! These guys specialize in metal bands, and have done so for over 25 years now, so with that said I believe this will be a long and solid relationship between MEGADETH and Roadrunner.

"The new record continues to be created and taking shape very nicely. All of us are inspired and are in a very positive/focused mind-frame, which is certainly being heard on these tracks. Good ...

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MTV.com is reporting that MEGADETH have signed to Roadrunner Records for the release of their upcoming album, according to a source close to the deal. The studio sessions — held at Sarm Studios, outside of London — were filmed by director Michael Sarna (ANTHRAX, OBITUARY) and are available at Megadeth.com to fan-club members.

MEGADETH's last CD, "The System Has Failed", came out in September 2004. The group, who were most recently signed to Sanctuary Records, were joined by bassist James Lomenzo (ex-BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, WHITE LION) in February following the departure of James MacDonough (ex-ICED EARTH).

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Six audio clips from COLDSEED's upcoming debut album, "Completion Makes the Tragedy", have been posted online at this location.

COLDSEED is the new band featuring former BLIND GUARDIAN/current SAVAGE CIRCUS skinsman Thomen Stauch and SOILWORK singer Björn "Speed" Strid. "Completion Makes the Tragedy" is scheduled for release on June 30 via Nuclear Blast Records. Check out the cover artwork for the CD, which being mixed by Dirk Schlächter (GAMMA RAY), at this location. Photos from the recording sessions can be found here.

Strid had previously described COLDSEED's music as "a mixture between RAMMSTEIN and ALICE IN CHAINS."

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Wes Orshoki of Billboard.com is reporting that SLAYER will preview their first album in five years with an EP exclusively available at Hot Topic stores. The album will include "Cult", the lone new song the band plans to play live on the upcoming Unholy Alliance tour.

"People are probably going to think it's a sequel to 'Disciple', but it's not," guitarist Kerry King told Billboard.com of the new track. He adds that the EP will most likely include a live version of "Dead Skin Mask", among other tracks.

SLAYER's still-untitled follow-up to "God Hates Us All", whi ...

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Melodic metallers MASTERPLAN have parted ways with vocalist Jorn Lande (ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/ARK) due to "musical differences." During the songwriting process for the band's third album, it became increasingly apparent that the members of the group had different visions and plans for the band's musical direction. While Jorn wanted MASTERPLAN to follow a more melodic path, the rest of the band wanted to return to the metallic roots of their debut album.

Commented drummer Uli Kusch (ex-HELLOWEEN): "We are not really happy about Jorn's decision [to leave the band], but on the other side it doesn't make sense to continue if the ...

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WINTERSUN, the band led by former ENSIFERUM singer Jari Mäenpää, have posted the following message on their official web site:

"We entered the studios [on May 2]. The day went setting up the drums, changing the drumheads, miking the drums, making the basic drumsound and Kai playing too fast all day long (and driving Nino crazy). Jiiiihhaaaaa! [On May 3] we [started] the actual recordings.

"In this studio session we will be recording only the drums, rhythm guitars and bass. I [Jari] will continue recording the vocals, solos and synths/samples at my home 'studio'/rehearsal place during the summer. The melody/acoustic guitars I will be ...

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New York metal band GREY SKIES FALLEN has begun pre-production for their fourth full-length album. Tentatively self-titled, this album will be an eclectic mix of styles from all three of their prior records; this time with an emphasis on the heavier elements. Demoing of select songs will commence early summer, allowing the band to debut these tracks on their MySpace page before recording the album.

GREY SKIES FALLEN owns and operates their own label, Xanthros Music. However, without the backing of a "real" record label, the band is limited in terms of traveling for tours due to financial constraints. The band hopes that the recent release of "Two Way Mirror"

Sweden's Slumber have announced an upcoming band name change. Previously there was mention online of some internal issues with the band members fighting over the band name. Apparently this is the result:

Sadly we have to announce that we will be known by a different name in the future. What it will be is yet to tell but this is the first you'll be able to find out.

This does however not affect the progress of songwriting for the new record, although a recording in May as we had hoped for seems a bit too optimistic at the moment.

But be sure we will respawn.

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Norwegian symphonic metal band TRISTANIA have issued the following update:

"We are eager to announce that the new album is completely finished. We are all delighted with our latest creation, which has been named 'Illumination'. The planned release is in September. Some titles from the album are 'Sanguine Sky', 'Open Ground', 'Lotus', 'Down' and 'Mercyside', to mention a few. All titles will be revealed at a later date.

"True to tradition, we have made an album with a definite and unmistakably Tristanian sound, but which also brings a lot of new and fresh material. The album is another evolutionary step and lets us explore new ar ...

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ANGRA vocalist Eduardo Falaschi's official web site has been updated with the following details of his upcoming solo album:

"ANGRA's vocalist Edu Falaschi is recording his first solo album. The project is called 'Almah' and it relies not only on Edu's talents as a singer, songwriter, arranger and producer but also on the likes of drummer Casey Grillo (KAMELOT), guitarist Emppu Vuorinen (NIGHTWISH) and bassist Lauri Porra (STRATOVARIUS). 'Almah' has participations of several guest musicians, such as Mike Stone (QUEENSRŸCHE's guitar player) and Edu Ardanuy (DR. SIN's g ...

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